Effect of different durations of water withholding on regrowth potential and non-structural carbohydrate content in Rhodes grass ( Chloris gayana Kunth).

After water was withheld, the levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the roots and basal parts of the leaves gradually increased from 2-4% to 8-9%, while the level of starch in the leaves remained stable below 1%. Regrowth and elongation of leaves that took place after cutting was increased markedly by withholding water for 6-10 days before cutting. A positive linear correlation was shown between initial leaf regrowth and the total amount of WSC present at cutting time. This initial advantage of the stressed plants gradually disappeared during the regrowth period, and no significant differences in leaf length and weight were found at later stages between watered and stressed plants.-from Authors